Video / Action

[just_displaced]

[There's something to be said for the fact for being so distracted that he hasn't actually noticed this whole mistletoe thing going on yet. And that's amazing in it of itself, because he's actually even left the Welcome Center today, too, for the sake of running a little errand. When he turns on the video, he's morosely picking a piece of cake apart with a fork.]

So. Here's a question. I mean, I'm sure there're a lot of different answers to it, but consider this a poll. Or something. Or just one of those questions that nobody has the right answer to but everyone has their own answer to. What do people do about birthdays around here?

[He pokes the cake again.]

I mean, do you celebrate your birthday on the date that the calendar here says it is? Does it even qualify as a real birthday? Do we actually age here? Or is it better just to forget about that kind of thing entirely and just do whatever you want, because this place doesn't make any sense, anyway?

[A frown, a shake of his head, and then he's turning off the video and heading to drop the piece of cake in the trash... and to go wandering back out into the City, where you might catch him near some mistletoe, inadvertently.]

Comments

[water_wine_wizard]

That's funny. I've was just talking to Chekov about calenders.

[just_displaced]

About how they might not make any sense around here because I'm not even sure what universe or dimension we're in, much less how time works here? Because if you were talking about that with Chekov, I guess it's on all of our minds.

[water_wine_wizard]

Well, my world's calender is completely different than the Gregorian - I think that's what he called it - calender. I have a holiday, I guess you could call it, coming up soon.

[just_displaced]

What's the holiday? Because I was thinking about that, too, about how people from different worlds probably have different calendars, and how those probably don't match up at all to what's going on around here. So how do you know if you've had a birthday or not, if you have to translate it all to this calendar?

video;

[ex_sorted385]

I say if there's presents and cake involved, you celebrate your birthday and don't worry about whether you're older or not.

Happy Birthday, Mr Ginsberg.

[ She's smiling like she knows something amusing, eyes twinkling. ]

I believe I owe you a meal sometime.

[water_wine_wizard]

My brother gave me a calender one of the times he visited that has corresponding dates. He said there was a lot of wiggling around because like... we have a leap year every five years, but it should have all the important things.

It's a day to remember the dead... sort of.

Re: video;

[just_displaced]

Thanks. I think it's my birthday. I mean... okay, never mind, it's a long story, and I'm not going to get into it here, but needless to say, I think it's my birthday. If I can count it that way. Um.

[A smile.]

You mean because you were a little kid over the weekend and I made you a sandwich?

[just_displaced]

A day to remember the dead? I mean, we kind of have days like that on our calendar, too, but maybe yours is a little different. What do you do? Are you going to do something for it here?

[water_wine_wizard]

We make candles, and then on the longest night we go and visit the graves of our loved ones. The candles are supposed to create a light so they can find their way through the veil and visit. See how we're doing.

And yes. I've been making candles.

Re: video;

[ex_sorted385]

Then it's your birthday. Who's going to argue it?

[ Her smile grows into a grin. ]

And a safe place to go and a warm spot to nap. I really appreciate your help. God knows I could have fallen into a hole or something, wandering about on my own.

[just_displaced]

That sounds kind of nice. I think. Do they ever actually visit? I mean, have you ever had a ghost visit you or anything? Or is it more of a metaphorical thing?

Re: video;

[just_displaced]

Okay, sure, it's my birthday.

[A nod.]

Well, you don't need to thank me. I just thought it'd be a bad idea to let a little kid wander around on their own, and then I figured out that little kid was you, and then it seemed even worse to let you wander around on your own. Not that you're not a competent person, just that once I know someone, I have a more vested interest in their safety, I guess. And I'm glad you didn't fall into any holes.

[water_wine_wizard]

I don't know. I've never seen anything. But it's still nice to talk to them. I know some people who say they've seen spirits. I've never seen any personally.

[just_displaced]

I haven't either. And I'm not sure if I believe in them. But that doesn't make the holiday any less of a good idea. It's probably more to make the living people feel better about things, anyway, than it is for the spirits.

[Video]

[likehim_likeme]

I spent the day with my sister. But it was Noël in Paris when I found myself here. As it was only a week between my arrival here and my birthday, I did not count it as one. But... next year, I will count it. If only because my sister and I will be together for it.

Either way, bon anniversaire, monsieur...?

Re: video;

[ex_sorted385]

Have you got balloons to go with your cake?

I'm thanking you anyway. Things are a bit odd and distorted, but I remember most of what happened, and I can say for certain that it was a great relief to have someone I could trust taking care of me. You're quite good with children.

Re: [Video]

[just_displaced]

Sure, that makes sense to me. I mean, I showed up here in October, and it'd been November back home, so my birthday was coming up anyway. I guess I might as well count this as my birthday.

Thanks. Ginsberg. Michael Ginsberg. Except I just go by Ginsberg, mostly. I mean, you can call me Michael, but sometimes I forget it's my name, and I might not respond to it, and that'd be awkward. Nice to meet you.

[water_wine_wizard]

It's really nice. Especially with all the candles lit up. It's really kind of beautiful.

Re: video;

[just_displaced]

No balloons, just cake. And I threw the cake away, anyway, because I just couldn't get into the spirit of things.

[He snorts, a disbelieving noise.]

Me? Good with kids? You must have low standards. I've never really dealt with kids much -- I just kind of tried to talk to you like you were a mini-adult.

[just_displaced]

I think I'd like seeing that. Maybe you should convince more people in the City to do it. I bet they would.

[water_wine_wizard]

I don't think I'd like to share it with the rest of the City.

It's kind of personal? You know? A bit of home just for myself.

[just_displaced]

Yeah, that makes sense. You shouldn't have to share it if you don't want to. I mean, we all have to have something from home that's just ours, regardless of what that is, right?

[water_wine_wizard]

With any luck, I won't.

[Knowing this place, it's hard to say.]

Exactly. Though it's hard sometimes because so many people here share the same culture and it's just me here.

Re: video;

[ex_sorted385]

Celebrating by yourself? [ There's sympathetic understanding in her voice and expression now. ] I've been there. What if I brought you another and we gave it a second try?

You were brilliant. I don't know about other kids, but that's pretty much the way I wanted to be talked to, myself. I just hope I wasn't too obnoxious.

[just_displaced]

I know what you mean. Kind of. The feeling of not quite fitting in with everybody. Of being a little displaced. We're all displaced being stuck here, but at least a lot of people have something in common. And then there're the people who're sort of on the outside.